Our early years were chaotic. We found ourselves unwilling retail competitors; sense of fairness made profit margins into uncomfortable compromises. We found ourselves the object of our neighbors' curious glances; our appearance and culture were disjoint in this community. Yet … we knew our mission.

Eventually, our venture funding was exhausted; at the same time our landlord died — difficult choices would not wait for opportunity. Neither URTH nor the regular visitors felt this was our time to die; we did not lay down awaiting death. Instead, we resolved to empower ourselves; we became first client community.

In the time of our empowerment, many excuses came that we should follow the lead of others and abandon our hopes and dreams. Though hundreds of these excuses circulate at any time, I list only a few. Bear in mind: these excuses tempted URTH; other excuses may tempt you. Please, freely add excuses as comments but, resist the temptations. There is no excuse for failure.

Customers can't park

The problem is not available parking. There are always parking spaces a few steps farther away. Let's talk to traffic administrators and get parking schedules changed to encourage walking more and bickering less.

Overhead costs are always rising

Overhead costs are remarkably constant in exchange rates. A loaf of bread is a quart of milk is a pint of fuel is ten kilowatt-hours of electricity … no values have been harmed in this economy save for those of our money.

The superstore has lower prices

Superstores provide minimal community support. Low prices with large inventories mean minimum wages for minimum expertise with low employee to product ratios. Surely that is something on which small business can capitalize.

The market changes too fast

Wait a minute! Isn't business about knowing the market? Do your homework and get back in sync with the market.

There isn't any traffic here

I'm confused now. First there's no parking, and now there's no traffic. Promote products with greater vitality near the store entrance. The traffic is there, but nobody sees you.

Our product has become a luxury

That's great! Raise the price appropriately and appeal to people who appreciate luxury.

Customers haggle

That's really sad. People are offering money and you can't see the savings of time and travel to buying elsewhere? Haggling is an art. Be artful!